Method and apparatus for management of location information

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, presenting, in a map, an interaction region associated with a user, where the interaction region is determined according to a current location, an activity, a predicted future location, and a predicted future activity of the second user, and according to a relationship between the user and another users, where the interaction region represents a geographic area in which the user is determined to be available to meet with the other user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/964,826, filed Dec. 10, 2015, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for managementof location information.

BACKGROUND

Users can share various information with other users, including mediacontent and where they have been. Tagging a location shows value from ahistorical perspective. Your social network can see where you have been.It does not help them to understand if you are still there, or if youare going to be there in a particular time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for managinglocation information including providing interaction regions forpresentation at end user devices;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of end user devices presentinginteraction regions in accordance with the system described in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method used in portionsof the system and devices described in FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system thatprovides media services including generating interaction regions forpresentation at end user devices;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device forgenerating, providing and/or presenting interaction regions;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods describedherein; and

FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for managinglocation information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for providing location information to end user devices. Inone embodiment, an interaction region can be determined for a monitoreduser according to current location, current activity, predicted futurelocation, predicted future activity, and a relationships between themonitored user and the user that will be presented with the interactionregion. In one embodiment, sensors and the like can be utilized formonitoring the location of a user and how long that user has been at thelocation. This location information which is time dependent can also beshared with various users. Other embodiments are described in thesubject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure are a method includingmonitoring, by a system including a processor, a first device and afirst application of a first user to determine a first current location,a first activity at the first current location, a first predicted futurelocation, and a first predicted future activity at the first predictedfuture location of the first user. The method includes determining, bythe system, a first relationship between the first user and a seconduser; and determining, by the system, a second relationship between thefirst user and a third user. The method includes determining, by thesystem, a first interaction region associated with the first useraccording to the first current location, the first activity, the firstpredicted future location, the first predicted future activity, and thefirst relationship, where the first interaction region represents afirst geographic area in which the first user is determined to beavailable to meet with the second user. The method includes providing,by the system, first data indicating a location of the first interactionregion to a second device of the second user, wherein the location ofthe first interaction region is presentable on a map by the seconddevice in conjunction with presenting the first current location of thefirst user. The method includes determining, by the system, a secondinteraction region associated with the first user according to the firstcurrent location, the first activity, the first predicted futurelocation, the first predicted future activity, and the secondrelationship, wherein the second interaction region represents a secondgeographic area in which the first user is determined to be available tomeet with the third user; and providing, by the system, second dataindicating a location of the second interaction region to a third deviceof the third user, wherein the location of the second interaction regionis presentable on another map by the third device in conjunction withpresenting the first current location of the first user.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a first mobiledevice including a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, including presenting, in a map, a firstinteraction region that is determined according to a first currentlocation, a first activity, a first predicted future location, and afirst predicted future activity of a first user of the first mobiledevice, where the first interaction region represents a first geographicarea in which the first user is determined to be available to meet withother users. The operations include receiving, from a server, a secondinteraction region associated with a second user, wherein the secondinteraction region is determined according to a second current location,a second activity, a second predicted future location, and a secondpredicted future activity of the second user, and according to arelationship between the first and second users, wherein the secondinteraction region represents a second geographic area in which thesecond user is determined to be available to meet with the first user.The operations include presenting, in the map, the second interactionregion.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a machine-readablestorage medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executedby a processor, facilitate performance of operations, includingpresenting, in a map, a first interaction region that is determinedaccording to a first current location, a first activity, a firstpredicted future location, and a first predicted future activity of afirst user of the first mobile device, wherein the first interactionregion represents a first geographic area in which the first user isdetermined to be available to meet with other users; and presenting, inthe map, a second interaction region associated with a second user,wherein the second interaction region is determined according to asecond current location, a second activity, a second predicted futurelocation, and a second predicted future activity of the second user, andaccording to a relationship between the first and second users, whereinthe second interaction region represents a second geographic area inwhich the second user is determined to be available to meet with thefirst user.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system 100 forgenerating, providing and/or presenting interaction regions associatedwith users 101 (only two of which are shown). The interaction regionscan represent or otherwise indicate a geographic area in which a user isdetermined to be available to meet with another user. A determination ofbeing available to meet can include a capability of meeting and/or adetermined desire to meet. The determination can be made based onvarious factors, as is described herein, and can be made with or withoutuser input.

The users 101 can have various devices 108 including end user devicessuch as mobile device 106. One or more of these devices 108 of theuser(s) 101 can execute one or more applications 150, such as anelectronic calendar, a mapping application, a scheduling application, ssocial networking application, and so forth. The devices 108 of theusers 101 can also include other type of devices such as a set top box,a vehicle computing system, and so forth. The devices 108 cancommunicate with each other, as well as with network equipment,including a network server 130, over a network 132. Network 132 can bevarious types of networks (e.g., wireless and/or wired networks) thatoperate according to various protocols.

In one embodiment, devices 108 can be monitored (e.g., by the server130) for various information that enables determining a currentlocation, a current activity, a predicted future location, and/or apredicted future activity (at the predicted future location) for aparticular or monitored user. The monitored information can include GPSdata, device activity, ongoing or previous communication sessions,applications being executed, or any other data that can be collected fordetermining and predicting locations and activities of a user. In oneembodiment, messages can be analyzed, for example according to theauthorization of the parties associated with the messages, fordetermining and predicting locations and activities of a user. Inanother embodiment, an electronic calendar can be analyzed to determinecurrent or scheduled appointments, including a subject matter of theappointment and/or a location of the appointment. In one embodiment, oneor more of the devices 108 can forward activity information to theserver 130 to enable determining and predicting activities andlocations.

Relationships between the users 101 can be determined (e.g., by theserver 130). For example, user profile information can be obtained, suchas from user and/or device profile(s) stored for one or more of theusers. The user profile information can indicate a relationship such asfamily, friends, co-workers, neighbors and so forth. In anotherembodiment, the relationship can be determined based on the informationcollected from the monitoring of devices 108, such as determiningmessages between users that indicate that the users are co-workers. Inanother embodiment, contact lists (e.g., a local or remotely storedelectronic telephone book) can be analyzed to determine relationships.In another embodiment, the determination of the relationship can bebased on user input, such as presenting a prompt to a user (e.g., themonitored user) to identify a relationship with another user.

System 100 enables an interaction region associated with a particularuser to be determined according to a current location, a currentactivity, a predicted future location, and predicted future activity. Inone embodiment, this interaction region can be determined also based ona determined relationship between the monitored user and the user whosedevice will be presenting the interaction region. The interaction regionrepresents a geographic area in which the particular user is determinedto be available to meet with the user whose device will be presentingthe interaction region. Interaction regions can be determined for anynumber of users and can be provided to any number of end user devicesfor presentation. As an example, a mobile device 106 (or other device108) of a user can present any number of interaction regions (formonitored users), such as based on monitored users that are included ina contact list of the user, monitored users that are determined to be ina social network with the user, monitored users that are requested bythe user, and so forth. In one embodiment, the interaction regions areadjusted as changes to current location, current activity, predictedfuture location and/or predicted future activities are detected. Forinstance, server 130 can adjust an interaction region to generate anadjusted interaction region, where the adjusting is according to achange in the current location. Interaction regions can change overtime, such as where current activities are completed, locations arechanged, and/or other events occur that alter a prediction such as withrespect to a predicted future location and/or activity. In oneembodiment, the interaction region can be a circle that is presentableon a map by a device 108 in conjunction with presenting a currentlocation of the monitored user at a center of the circle. In otherembodiments, the interaction regions can have various shapes which mayor may not be presented in conjunction with presenting a currentlocation of the monitored user (e.g., at a center of the interactionregion).

In one embodiment, the interaction region can be determined according toavailable venues. For example, meeting rooms, restaurants, libraries,and so forth, can be detected and utilized in determining a size, shape,and/or position of the interaction region. In another embodiment, thevenue can be analyzed with respect to preferences of the users, such asdetermining that one of the users is allergic to fish and altering theinteraction region to avoid a seafood restaurant.

In one embodiment, the server 130 can determine a time period that themonitored user will be located at the current location, where thedetermining of a size of the interaction region is based on the timeperiod. In another embodiment, the server 130 can determine weatherinformation associated with the current location, the predicted futurelocation, or a combination thereof, where the determining of theinteraction region (e.g., size, shape, and/or position) is based on theweather information. In another embodiment, the server 130 can determinevehicle traffic information associated with the current location, thepredicted future location, or a combination thereof, where thedetermining of the interaction region (e.g., size, shape, and/orposition) is based on the vehicle traffic information.

In one embodiment, the size, shape and/or position of the interactionregion can be determined according to a determination of an attentionspan of a monitored user, such as determining a short attention spanduring jogging. The monitoring or other obtaining of activityinformation of particular users can be performed in various waysincluding by obtaining information directly from devices 108 (e.g.,sending a request for information) and/or by obtaining information fromother devices, such as network devices providing communication servicesto the devices 108.

In one embodiment, system 100 can provide an automatic systematizedconnection with sensors of a network. For example, when a monitored userenters into a geocached location, the location is recorded within thesystem. If the monitored user leaves that location, that location is nolonger included as a check-in for that user. For example, a follower ofa person in a social network can see “where is James now?” and can see“is he still there?” Given James's consent, the device 106 can broadcastthrough a social network James's location automatically.

In another embodiment, manual location tagging can be utilized. Forexample, if James knows he is going to be in a certain location, he cantag his locator start and stop time as a part of a location check-insocial network. In this example, check-ins can be made into the future,so James's social network can plan to be at a location the same timeJames is there.

In another embodiment, automated check-ins can be performed based upon anetworked calendar. For instance, calendar items with location insertedas part of a record can be synchronized to social networks for past,current and/or future check-ins.

In one or more embodiments, location detection via mobile phone and/orwearable devices that communicate with a server service that controlspermissions and connects to social network check ins via an API can beutilized. For instance, cameras with face detection can also be used toidentify individual's location. In one embodiment, an Internet Of Things(IoT) sensor can be utilized that has the ability to accept anindividual's “tag” and only share it with “friends” of the person who“tagged” the sensor/area/object.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of displays of end userdevices 106A and 106B that are presenting maps 200A, 200B, respectively.For example, map 200A, 200B are overhead views illustrating roads 210and buildings 220. In map 200A, an interaction region 250A is presentedwhere a current location of the monitored user is shown by a locationicon 201A. In this example, the interaction region is circular with thelocation icon 201A at a center of the circle, however, the interactionregion can be any shape and the current location icon can be positionedanywhere within or outside of the circle, according to the determinationof the geographic region in which the monitored user is determined to beavailable to meet the user of device 106A.

In one embodiment, the interaction region 250A can be determinedaccording to receiving, from the server 130, the interaction region 250Aassociated with a monitored user, where the interaction region isdetermined according to a current location, a current activity, apredicted future location, and a predicted future activity of themonitored user, and according to a relationship between the monitoreduser and the user of the device 106A, where the interaction regionrepresents a geographic area in which the monitored user is determinedto be available to meet with the user of the device presenting the map.Any number of interaction regions for any number of monitored users canbe presented in a map by an end user device, which can be distinguishedin a number of different ways such as by color, labels, and so forth.

Device 106B may present a different interaction region 250B in map 200Bfor the same monitored user (associated with interaction region 250A ofdevice 106A), such as where a different relationship is determinedbetween the monitored user and the user of device 106B. For example,interaction region 250B may be larger than interaction region 250A wherethe user of device 106B is a family member of the monitored user, whilethe user of device 106A belongs to a social networking group with themonitored user.

Map 200A illustrates that any number of interaction regions can bepresented for different monitored users. For example, an interactionregion 250C is illustrated which includes a location icon 201B. Theinteraction region 250C can be determined according to a currentlocation, a current activity, a predicted future location, and apredicted future activity of that particular monitored user, andaccording to a relationship between that particular monitored user andthe user of the device 106B, where the interaction region represents ageographic area in which that particular monitored user is determined tobe available to meet with the user of the device presenting the map.

In one embodiment, an interaction region can be presented for the userof the device 108 that is presenting the map in combination withpresenting interaction region(s) for monitored user(s). In this example,the interaction region for the user of the device 108 that is presentingthe map can be determined without determining a relationship with otherusers. In one embodiment, a notification can be presented responsive toa determination that the user's interaction region has overlapped with amonitored user's interaction region.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method 300 used by system100 for management of location information. Various steps in method 300can be executed by various devices and combinations of devices,including a network server and/or end use device. At 302, monitoring canbe performed of one or more first devices and one or more firstapplications of a first user. According to the monitoring, at 304 adetermination can be made of a first current location, a first activityat the first current location, a first predicted future location, and afirst predicted future activity at the first predicted future locationof the first user. At 306, relationships between the first user and asecond user, as well as between the first user and a third user can bedetermined.

At 308, interaction regions can be determined. For example, a firstinteraction region associated with the first user can be determinedaccording to the first current location, the first activity, the firstpredicted future location, the first predicted future activity, and thefirst relationship, where the first interaction region represents afirst geographic area in which the first user is determined to beavailable to meet with the second user. A second interaction region canbe determined according to the first current location, the firstactivity, the first predicted future location, the first predictedfuture activity, and the second relationship, where the secondinteraction region represents a second geographic area in which thefirst user is determined to be available to meet with the third user.

At 310, the first interaction region can be provided to a second deviceof the second user, where the first interaction region is presentable ona map by the second device in conjunction with presenting the firstcurrent location of the first user; and the second interaction regioncan be provided to a third device of the third user, where the secondinteraction region is presentable on another map by the third device inconjunction with presenting the first current location of the firstuser.

In one embodiment, the monitored application comprises an electroniccalendar of the user, where the predicted future location and thepredicted future activity are determined according to activityinformation included in calendar entries of the electronic calendar.

In one embodiment, the method 300 can include obtaining a first userprofile of the first user, a second user profile of the second user, anda third user profile of the third user, where the determining of thefirst relationship is based on the first and second user profiles, andwhere the determining of the second relationship is based on the firstand third user profiles. In one embodiment, the method 300 includesadjusting the first interaction region to generate an adjusted firstinteraction region, wherein the adjusting is according to a change inthe first current location, wherein the adjusted first interactionregion represents an adjusted first geographic area in which the firstuser is determined to be available to meet with the second user; andproviding the adjusted first interaction region to the second device ofthe second user, wherein the adjusted first interaction region ispresentable on the map by the second device in conjunction withpresenting the change of the first current location of the first user.

In one embodiment, the method 300 includes determining weatherinformation associated with the first current location, the firstpredicted future location, or a combination thereof, where thedetermining of the first interaction region is based on the weatherinformation. In one embodiment, the method 300 includes determiningvehicle traffic information associated with the first current location,the first predicted future location, or a combination thereof, whereinthe determining of the first interaction region is based on the vehicletraffic information.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 3, it isto be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 400for delivering content which can include mapping data, messages, audio,video and/or data. The communication system 400 can represent aninteractive television system including an Internet Protocol Television(IPTV) media system. Communication system 400 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 400. For instance, one or more devices illustratedin the communication system 400 of FIG. 4 can present, in a map, a firstinteraction region that is determined according to a first currentlocation, a first activity, a first predicted future location, and afirst predicted future activity of a first user of the first mobiledevice, where the first interaction region represents a first geographicarea in which the first user is determined to be available to meet withother users; and can present, in the map, a second interaction regionassociated with a second user, wherein the second interaction region isdetermined according to a second current location, a second activity, asecond predicted future location, and a second predicted future activityof the second user, and according to a relationship between the firstand second users, where the second interaction region represents asecond geographic area in which the second user is determined to beavailable to meet with the first user. These functions can be performedby various devices including a network device and/or an end user (or canbe distributed in more than one device).

The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO) 410 withat least one super headend office server (SHS) 411 which receives mediacontent from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems. In thepresent context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 411 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 414 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 412 according to a multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 414 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 418 to commercial and/or residential buildings 402 housing agateway 404 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 418 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 419 to buildings 402. The gateway 404 can usecommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 406 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 408 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 407 (such as aninfrared or RF remote controller).

The gateway 404, the media processors 406, and media devices 408 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, or other presentor next generation local or personal area wireless network technologies.By way of these interfaces, unicast communications can also be invokedbetween the media processors 406 and subsystems of the IPTV media systemfor services such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 429 can be used in the mediasystem of FIG. 4. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 400. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 415 that include mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 431 coupled to thebuilding 402. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver431 can be transferred to the media processors 406 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 408. The media processors 406 can be equipped with a broadbandport to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) network 432 to enableinteractive services such as VoD and EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 433 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system400. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 433 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services. System 400 enablesvarious types of interactive television and/or services including IPTV,cable and/or satellite.

The subject disclosure can apply to other present or next generationover-the-air and/or landline media content services system.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 430, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over the ISP network 432 towireline media devices 408 or wireless communication devices 416.

Communication system 400 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 430 to function as an interaction region determinationserver (herein referred to as server 430). The server 430 can usecomputing and communication technology to perform function 462, whichcan include: monitoring a first device and a first application of afirst user to determine a first current location, a first activity atthe first current location, a first predicted future location, and afirst predicted future activity at the first predicted future locationof the first user; determining a first relationship between the firstuser and a second user; determining a second relationship between thefirst user and a third user; determining a first interaction regionassociated with the first user according to the first current location,the first activity, the first predicted future location, the firstpredicted future activity, and the first relationship, wherein the firstinteraction region represents a first geographic area in which the firstuser is determined to be available to meet with the second user;providing the first interaction region to a second device of the seconduser, wherein the first interaction region is presentable on a map bythe second device in conjunction with presenting the first currentlocation of the first user; determining a second interaction regionassociated with the first user according to the first current location,the first activity, the first predicted future location, the firstpredicted future activity, and the second relationship, wherein thesecond interaction region represents a second geographic area in whichthe first user is determined to be available to meet with the thirduser; and providing the second interaction region to a third device ofthe third user, wherein the second interaction region is presentable onanother map by the third device in conjunction with presenting the firstcurrent location of the first user.

The media processors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can beprovisioned with software functions 464 and 466, respectively, toutilize the services of server 430. For instance, functions 464 and 466of media processors 406 and wireless communication devices 416 can besimilar to the functions described for the sending and receivingcommunication devices 106, 116 in accordance with method 300. Forexample, function 464 and/or 466 can include one or more of presenting,in a map, a first interaction region that is determined according to afirst current location, a first activity, a first predicted futurelocation, and a first predicted future activity of a first user of thefirst mobile device, wherein the first interaction region represents afirst geographic area in which the first user is determined to beavailable to meet with other users; receiving, from a server, a secondinteraction region associated with a second user, wherein the secondinteraction region is determined according to a second current location,a second activity, a second predicted future location, and a secondpredicted future activity of the second user, and according to arelationship between the first and second users, wherein the secondinteraction region represents a second geographic area in which thesecond user is determined to be available to meet with the first user;and presenting, in the map, the second interaction region.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 417 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other present and next generation wide area wireless access networktechnologies can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device 500.Communication device 500 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in system 100, 400 andcan be configured to perform portions of method 300 of FIG. 3. As anexample, device 500 can monitor location and activity information forusers and share that information to facilitate the users meeting witheach other. The device 500 can monitor various devices of users andvarious applications (e.g., an electronic calendar) of users todetermine current location, predicted future location, activity atpresent location and predicted future activity at predicted futurelocation. These factors can be utilized to determine a likelihood andwillingness or availability for a user to meet with someone at aparticular location. Each of the users can be represented on a map witha circle or other shape where the diameter of the circle depends on thelikelihood and willingness or availability for the user to meet withsomeone. Other factors such as weather, traffic, geography, and so forthcan also be monitored and utilized for adjusting the size of the circle.Different circles or shapes of a first user interaction region can beprovided to different other users. For example, a user may see a largecircle representing his son (where his son is likely and willing to meetwith him for lunch) while a salesperson may see a smaller circlerepresenting the son (where the son is less likely and willing to meetwith a salesperson).

Communication device 500 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 502 (herein transceiver 502), a user interface (UI) 504, apower supply 514, a location receiver 516, a motion sensor 518, anorientation sensor 520, and a controller 506 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 502 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 502 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 504 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 508 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device500. The keypad 508 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 500 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 508 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 504 can further include a display510 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 500. In anembodiment where the display 510 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 508 can be presented by way of the display 510 withnavigation features.

The display 510 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 500 can be adapted to present a user interface withgraphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by a userwith a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 510 can be equippedwith capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology todetect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 510 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 500 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 504 can also include an audio system 512 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 512 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 512 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI504 can further include an image sensor 513 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 514 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 500 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable applications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 516 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 500 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 518can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 500 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 520 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device500 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 500 can use the transceiver 502 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 506 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 500.

Other components not shown in FIG. 5 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 500 can include a reset button (not shown). The reset button canbe used to reset the controller 506 of the communication device 500. Inyet another embodiment, the communication device 500 can also include afactory default setting button positioned, for example, below a smallhole in a housing assembly of the communication device 500 to force thecommunication device 500 to re-establish factory settings. In thisembodiment, a user can use a protruding object such as a pen or paperclip tip to reach into the hole and depress the default setting button.The communication device 500 can also include a slot for adding orremoving an identity module such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card. SIM cards can be used for identifying subscriber services,executing programs, storing subscriber data, and so forth.

The communication device 500 as described herein can operate with moreor less of the circuit components shown in FIG. 5. These variantembodiments can be used in one or more embodiments of the subjectdisclosure.

The communication device 500 can be adapted to perform the functions ofdevices 106, 108, 130, the media processor 406, the media devices 408,the portable communication devices 416 and/or the server 430. It will beappreciated that the communication device 500 can also represent otherdevices that can operate in systems 100, 400, such as a gaming consoleand a media player. In addition, the controller 506 can be adapted invarious embodiments to perform the functions 462, 464, 466,respectively.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope of theclaims described below.

Other embodiments can be used in the subject disclosure.

It should be understood that devices described in the exemplaryembodiments can be in communication with each other via various wirelessand/or wired methodologies. The methodologies can be links that aredescribed as coupled, connected and so forth, which can includeunidirectional and/or bidirectional communication over wireless pathsand/or wired paths that utilize one or more of various protocols ormethodologies, where the coupling and/or connection can be direct (e.g.,no intervening processing device) and/or indirect (e.g., an intermediaryprocessing device such as a router).

FIG. 6 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods described above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the server 430, the media processor 406 andother devices of FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5 to enable generating, providing,and/or otherwise presenting interaction regions for one or more users.In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network626) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine mayoperate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in aserver-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the subject disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor (or controller) 602(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a graphics processing unit(GPU, or both), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, whichcommunicate with each other via a bus 608. The computer system 600 mayfurther include a display unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD), a flat panel, or a solid state display). The computer system 600may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generationdevice 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 620. In distributed environments, the embodiments described inthe subject disclosure can be adapted to utilize multiple display units610 controlled by two or more computer systems 600. In thisconfiguration, presentations described by the subject disclosure may inpart be shown in a first of the display units 610, while the remainingportion is presented in a second of the display units 610.

The disk drive unit 616 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 624) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within theprocessor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600. Themain memory 604 and the processor 602 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Referring to FIG. 7, a data flow is shown for a user that enablesmanagement of location information. For example, sensors can detect alocation of an individual and can communicate this information to alocation context server that updates a new location. The locationcontext server can request confirmation from the user to share newcurrent location. The context server can update a social networkingsite. When an individual leaves a location and is detected by sensors,the location context server can be updated and can request a responsefrom the person. When the person affirms, the context server can updatethe social network.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Application specific integrated circuits andprogrammable logic array can use downloadable instructions for executingstate machines and/or circuit configurations to implement embodiments ofthe subject disclosure. Applications that may include the apparatus andsystems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronicand computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two ormore specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with relatedcontrol and data signals communicated between and through the modules,or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, theexample system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the subject disclosure, theoperations or methods described herein are intended for operation assoftware programs or instructions running on or executed by a computerprocessor or other computing device, and which may include other formsof instructions manifested as a state machine implemented with logiccomponents in an application specific integrated circuit or fieldprogrammable gate array. Furthermore, software implementations (e.g.,software programs, instructions, etc.) including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. It is furthernoted that a computing device such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations or methods may perform such operations directly or indirectlyby way of one or more intermediate devices directed by the computingdevice.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 622 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe subject disclosure. The term “non-transitory” as in a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage includes without limitation memories, drives,devices and anything tangible but not a signal per se.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth®, WiFi, Zigbee®), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA, LTE) can be used bycomputer system 600. In one or more embodiments, information regardinguse of services can be generated including services being accessed,media consumption history, user preferences, and so forth. Thisinformation can be obtained by various methods including user input,detecting types of communications (e.g., video content vs. audiocontent), analysis of content streams, and so forth. The generating,obtaining and/or monitoring of this information can be responsive to anauthorization provided by the user.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Theexemplary embodiments can include combinations of features and/or stepsfrom multiple embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized and derivedtherefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimizedAccordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order or functionunless expressly stated so. The use of the terms first, second, thirdand so forth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components,steps or functions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, oneor more devices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be multiple processors,which can include distributed processors or parallel processors in asingle machine or multiple machines. The processor can be used insupporting a virtual processing environment. The virtual processingenvironment may support one or more virtual machines representingcomputers, servers, or other computing devices. In such virtualmachines, components such as microprocessors and storage devices may bevirtualized or logically represented. The processor can include a statemachine, application specific integrated circuit, and/or programmablegate array including a Field PGA. In one or more embodiments, when aprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations”, this caninclude the processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another device or componentto perform the operations.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations comprising: monitoring a first mobile device and a firstapplication of a first user to determine a first current location,monitoring a second mobile device and a second application of a seconduser to determine a second current location, analyzing the first currentlocation and the second current location to determine a first locationcontext and a second location context respectively; monitoring messagestransmitted between the first mobile device and the second mobiledevice; analyzing the messages to determine a message context;determining a relationship between the first user and the second userbased on the first location context, the second location context, andthe message context; and determining an interaction region representinga geographic area in which the first user and the second user areavailable to meet, based at least in part on the first current location,the second current location, the first location context, the secondlocation context, and the relationship.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the operations further comprise presenting the interactionregion on a map displayed at one or both of the first mobile device andthe second mobile device.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise adjusting the interaction region to generatean adjusted interaction region, wherein the adjusting is according to achange in one or both of the first current location and the secondcurrent location, wherein the adjusted interaction region represents anadjusted geographic area in which the first user and the second user aredetermined to be available to meet.
 4. The device of claim 1, whereinone or both of the first application and the second applicationcomprises an electronic calendar.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein theoperations further comprise determining a predicted location and apredicted future activity of one or both of the first user and thesecond user, and wherein the predicted future location and the predictedfuture activity are determined according to activity informationincluded in calendar entries of the electronic calendar.
 6. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise sending to one orboth of the first user and the second user a request for confirmation ofthe first current location or the second current location respectively.7. The device of claim 6, wherein the operations further compriseupdating a social network regarding the first current location or thesecond current location, responsive to receiving the confirmation. 8.The device of claim 1, wherein one or both of the first mobile deviceand the second mobile device broadcasts over a social network the firstcurrent location or the second current location respectively.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: determininga time period for at least one of a first presence of the first user atthe first current location and a second presence of the second user atthe second current location; and determining a size of the interactionregion based on the time period.
 10. The device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: identifying a venue corresponding to theinteraction region; and determining, based on the venue, a size, shape,or position of the interaction region.
 11. A method comprising:monitoring, by a processing system including a processor, a first mobiledevice and a first application of a first user to determine a firstcurrent location, monitoring, by the processing system, a second mobiledevice and a second application of a second user to determine a secondcurrent location, analyzing, by the processing system, the first currentlocation and the second current location to determine a first locationcontext and a second location context respectively; monitoring, by theprocessing system, messages transmitted between the first mobile deviceand the second mobile device; analyzing, by the processing system, themessages to determine a message context; determining, by the processingsystem, a relationship between the first user and the second user basedon the first location context, the second location context, and themessage context; and determining, by the processing system, aninteraction region representing a geographic area in which the firstuser and the second user are available to meet, based at least in parton the first current location, the second current location, the firstlocation context, the second location context, and the relationship; andpresenting, by the processing system, the interaction region on a mapdisplayed at one or both of the first mobile device and the secondmobile device, wherein one or both of the first application and thesecond application comprises an electronic calendar.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising adjusting, by the processing system, theinteraction region to generate an adjusted interaction region, whereinthe adjusting is according to a change in one or both of the firstcurrent location and the second current location, wherein the adjustedinteraction region represents an adjusted geographic area in which thefirst user and the second user are determined to be available to meet.13. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining, by theprocessing system, a predicted location and a predicted future activityof one or both of the first user and the second user, wherein one orboth of the first application and the second application comprises anelectronic calendar, and wherein the predicted future location and thepredicted future activity are determined according to activityinformation included in calendar entries of the electronic calendar. 14.The method of claim 11, further comprising: determining, by theprocessing system, a time period for at least one of a first presence ofthe first user at the first current location and a second presence ofthe second user at the second current location; and determining, by theprocessing system, a size of the interaction region based on the timeperiod.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: identifying, bythe processing system, a venue corresponding to the interaction region;and determining, by the processing system, a size, shape, or position ofthe interaction region based on the venue.
 16. A machine-readablestorage medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed bya processing system including a processor, facilitate performance ofoperations comprising: monitoring a first mobile device and a firstapplication of a first user to determine a first current location,monitoring a second mobile device and a second application of a seconduser to determine a second current location, analyzing the first currentlocation and the second current location to determine a first locationcontext and a second location context respectively; monitoring messagestransmitted between the first mobile device and the second mobiledevice; analyzing the messages to determine a message context;determining a relationship between the first user and the second userbased on the first location context, the second location context, andthe message context; determining an interaction region representing ageographic area in which the first user and the second user areavailable to meet, based at least in part on the first current location,the second current location, the first location context, the secondlocation context, and the relationship, wherein a size, shape orposition of the interaction region is based in part on weatherinformation, vehicle traffic information, or a combination thereof; andpresenting the interaction region on a map displayed at one or both ofthe first mobile device and the second mobile device.
 17. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise sending to one or both of the first user and the seconduser a request for confirmation of the first current location or thesecond current location respectively.
 18. The machine-readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise updating asocial network regarding the first current location or the secondcurrent location, responsive to receiving the confirmation.
 19. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: determining a time period for at least one of a firstpresence of the first user at the first current location and a secondpresence of the second user at the second current location; anddetermining a size of the interaction region based on the time period.20. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein theoperations further comprise: identifying a venue corresponding to theinteraction region; and determining, based on the venue, a size, shape,or position of the interaction region.